ABSTRACT Acute Stroke in Māori Patients at Tauranga Hospital: Characteristics and Outcomes Dr Lainis, Fredolin1 1Medical
Department, Tauranga Hospital, Tauranga, New Zealand Introduction: Studies suggest that Māori have higher stroke incidence rates and case fatalities, are younger on average at first stroke onset, and are more likely to be discharged to live at home with their Whānau1, 2. However, such trend is less clear at the Bay of Plenty region. Aims: To define the characteristics and outcomes of Māori stroke patients admitted to the Tauranga Hospital Acute Stroke Unit (ASU). Methods: A retrospective clinical audit of Māori and New Zealanders of European Origin (NZEO) patients admitted to the ASU from January 2013 to October 2014. We looked at baseline demographics, stroke risk factors, comorbidities, access to hospital stroke services and clinical outcomes data, were obtained from hospital paper and electronic health records. Results: Total of 47 Māori and 49 NZEO included in this audit. Māori were younger at stroke onset, mean of 62 (95%CI: 58-66) vs. 77 (95%CI: 73-81) (P=0.001); smoked more (36% vs. 10%) and had a higher female smoking population (47% vs. 20%). Māori had more comorbidities, mean of 3.5 (95% CI: 3-4), vs. 2.9 (95% CI: 2.5-3.3) and were more likely to have poorly controlled diabetes (56% vs. 25% respectively). There was no significant difference in access to acute stroke services and multidisciplinary team input. Stroke mortality is higher in Māori, but morbidity was found to be higher in NZEO, 6% vs. 3% and 14% vs. 6% respectively; and Māori are more likely to be discharged to Whānau. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates a higher incidence of stroke in Māori with a much younger age at diagnosis, more comorbidities and a higher likelihood to being discharged home to their Whānau. References: |